Renewables offers great potential in terms of local economic growth / juwi-expert Zirk Botha on panel discussion concerning community upliftment at this years’ WINDABARenewable energies such as wind- and solar power are the future of South Africa’s energy production. While the price for fossil-fuel derived electricity will increase even further, due to high demand and shrinking natural resources, the price for green electricity from wind and solar farms has continuously decreased in the recent past - making renewables a serious competitor for market share. wind power has already reached the so-called grid parity in South Africa. This means that electricity from wind and coal will be fed into the public grid at the same cost. In the near future, renewables, especially wind power, is poised to replace fossil fuels completely as the costs for wind turbines and solar panels will continue to decrease . Furthermore, the wind and sun does not issue invoices. Their energy is for free! Besides these advantages over fossil fuels, the expansion of renewable energy also has a social dimension: “The decentralized expansion of a power supply based on renewables also strongly contributes to rural development and offers enormous potential in terms of local economic growth and community upliftment”, Zirk Botha, Economic Development Manager at juwi Renewable Energies (Pty.) Ltd., explains. Due to his expertise in the field of Black Economic Empowerment and community upliftment, the juwi-expert has been invited to contribute his knowledge to this years’ WINDABA 2013 panel discussion on localisation, job creation and socio-economic development. “Unlike conventional power producers, any renewable Independent Power Producer (IPP) wanting to participate under the REIPPP must ensure 2.5 – 5.0 percent of ownership to local communities”, Botha continues. Further, 1 – 1.5 percent of gross revenue must be spent on community upliftment, predominantly within a 50 kilometre radius around the project site. “As an example”, Botha explains, “a community trust of a large wind farm project might earn dividends of more than 20 million Rands annually. A further 0.6 percent of turnover must be spent on enterprise development. Not to mention the skill transfer that happens during the construction as well as operational phase. All this is already included in the price of 89c/kWh for wind energy”, the juwi-expert concludes. juwi Renewable Energies (Pty) Ltd., one of the country’s leading specialist for wind- and solar projects, is presenting its expertise on project development is at the stand number 25 at this years’ WINDABA. Please visit our booth from September 25-27 at South Africa’s premier wind energy showcase at Cape Town’s International Convention Center.About juwi Renewable Energies (Pty) Ltd juwi Renewable Energies is a full-service partner in all aspects of project development. We plan, finance, construct, and operate renewable energy power plants with a particular focus on the wind and solar energy sector in South Africa. Our vision is that of 100 % clean energy, security of supply, and independence from energy imports. Our network of international investors and a proven track-record across the globe are some of the keys to our success. Our offices are in Cape Town. Find out more about us at www.juwi.co.za.About the juwi group juwi is one of the world’s leading specialists for renewable energies with a strong regional presence and offers project development as well as products for the energy turnaround. Our goal: 100 percent renewable energies. Our impetus: Work together to implement renewable energies economically and reliably with passion. From site selection to planning, construction and financing up to management – juwi is the competent partner for the energy turnaround with a regional focus. juwi was founded in 1996 by Matthias Willenbacher and Fred Jung in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. Today, the company employs more than 1,700 people in more than 15 countries and had an annual turnover of approx. 1.1 billion Euro in 2012. Company activities include mainly solar, wind and bio energy – greenfield development as well as engineering, procurement and construction (EPC). The company’s own research division develops solutions and components to make power from renewable energies even more reasonably priced. Storage technologies (e.g. juwi Home Power, the battery storage system for solar power plants), Green Buildings and wood pellets complete the portfolio. Up to date, juwi has developed more than 100 wind farms with around 700 wind turbines and an output of around 1,400 megawatts. In the solar sector, more than 1,500 solar power plants with a total output of around 1,300 megawatts were realized. Combined, these plants generate approx. 5 billion kilowatt hours of green energy per year; that corresponds to the annual power consumption of approx. 1.4 million households, according to German standards. In the bio energy sector, juwi has realized numerous wood pellet production plants, biogas plants and heating networks with contracting solutions. juwi has initiated an investment of more than five billion Euro in the last 17 years for the realization of all these energy projects. The juwi group has offices in Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Czech Republic, Greece, Poland, Bulgaria, Great Britain, India, Singapore, South Africa, Chile, the USA/Canada and Costa Rica. In Germany, juwi has subsidiaries and regional offices in several German states.